The Cronin push-back palate repair with nasal mucosal flaps: a speech evaluation

This is a retrospective study of 92 cleft palate patients who had been repaired with the Cronin push-back palate repair with nasal mucosal flaps. The patients were evaluated by a speech pathologist for intelligibility, articulation, and resonance and rated using a 5-point scale devised for this study. Readily intelligible speech was present in 78 percent. Normal articulation was present in 66 percent. Normal resonance was present in 78 percent of the total subject group. Secondary procedures were performed in 14 percent of the group. Repaired clefts of the soft palate achieved a high rate of normal intelligibility, articulation, and resonance. Repaired submucous clefts and short palates achieved the lowest percent of normal articulation and resonance. Educational placement, hearing, and type of structural deformity all appear to influence the ultimate communication outcome.